Hoya Kerrii: Ultimate Plant Care And Growing Guide
Succulents are sometimes unsung heroes of the house plant genre. And in the case of hoya kerrii, they also fit the bill as warm-season outdoor plants. Hoya heart plant, the common name, is also a romantic Valentine’s gift with whimsical leaves in the form of a heart. The hoya heart plant might even produce some unreal-looking waxy blooms with the proper care. Sweetheart hoya is another common name.
QUICK FACTS:
Botanical name- Hoya kerrii
Height- 13 feet long ( 4 m.)
Spread- 2-4 feet ( .61-1.2 m.)
Sun exposure- Partial
Soil requirements - Loose, well-draining
Hardiness zones- USDA 8-11
When to plant- Spring
Hoya Kerrii Care
Hoya heart plant has thick, semi-glossy leaves that are arranged slightly bifurcated in a heart shape. The heart plant also produces a flower cluster that looks to be made of wax, leading to another common name, wax plant. It is an easy to care for succulent that will climb in its natural habitat but is more commonly grown in the home as a trailing specimen. I once had one and it was easy to grow, but it did get spider mites when I put it outdoors for the summer.
Light
Sweetheart hoya is a slow-growing plant that may take up to 3 years to produce flowers. It thrives best in indirect sunlight for several hours. A bright north or eastern-facing window would be ideal. Alternatively, a south or western window with a bit of screening from harsh rays will also be healthy. When introducing it outside for summer, make sure to gradually acclimate it to brighter summer rays.
Water
This hoya is adapted to long periods without water, but it will do best if watered occasionally. Water when the soil is dry to the touch down to the second knuckle. Never let a hoya sit in a saucer of water. In the winter, the plant is dormant and not growing. It will only need to be watered once each month. Outdoor plants will need slightly more frequent watering than those inside. Use room temperature water to avoid shocking the plant.
Temperature & Humidity
The hoya heart plant has very little frost tolerance. It will be happiest at temperatures between 65- 80 Fahrenheit (18-27 C). When grown outdoors in warmer climates, keep it where no noonday sunlight touches the plant. In the plant’s native range, it receives humidity of 65-85 percent year round. Indoors the plant will do well if the humidity level is at least 60 percent but will do fine at 40 percent. If your home is excessively dry, mist the plant occasionally or place it in the bathroom where humidity is generally higher.
Soil
Heart hoya is an epiphyte, which means it naturally grows in the crotches of trees. It produces aerial roots that help it climb. In the home setting, it requires loose, well-draining soil. A mixture of good potting soil with perlite, orchid bark, and medium sand will provide an excellent home for the plant.
Fertilizer
Do not fertilize the hoya during the fall and winter months. Use a fertilizer labeled for cacti and succulents. Fertilize once per month from spring until mid-summer and then suspend feeding the plant.
Problems, Pests & Diseases
As mentioned, spider mites love outdoor plants. In the home interior, they are relatively pest free. Outdoor plants may also suffer from scale or mealybug infestations. Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to wipe away pests. Excess watering or fertilizing will cause the plant to decline. Overwatering can also encourage certain fungal diseases. Use a soil meter to help keep the plant on the dry side and prevent fungus disease.
How to Plant a Hoya Heart
Heart hoya often comes as just a single leaf that has been rooted. These will not develop into trailing plants but will remain in that single state. Full plants will have growth nodes that allow the plant to produce stems. Hoya kerrii prefers to be pot-bound, and such a state encourages blooming. Use a container with plenty of drainage holes and appropriate loose soil.
Pruning and Propagation
The only time this hoya needs pruning is when a stem dies. These can be removed at any time.
The hoya heart plant is usually propagated from leaf cuttings. Like most succulents, the leaf will root in time. Make sure some part of the stem and a growth node is attached to the leaf or the plant will not produce new stems. Plant the cutting in well-draining soil that has a bit of grit. Keep it moderately moist in medium light.
Repotting
Repot the plant every couple of years but don’t increase the container size unless the plant is growing roots out of the drainage holes. Fresh potting soil will decrease compaction that occurs over time.
How to Make Hoya Kerrii Produce Flowers
Hoya kerrii will not flower until it is 2-3 years old. It needs a special combination of circumstances with perfect humidity levels, slightly brighter light in spring, and monthly fertilizer.
Hoya Kerrii Varieties
There are several cultivars of this species. Hoya kerrii “Splash” sports splatters of white on the leaves, while H. kerrii “albomarginata varieties have creamy white leaf margins.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do Single Leaf Hoya Kerrii Grow?
The plants sold as sweetheart leaf are standard Hoya kerrii are just a pot with a rooted leaf. These will stay in that state and will not grow additional stems and leaves. This is because there was no growth node taken when the cutting was harvested.
What Is the Lifespan of a Hoya Heart?
Apparently this plant can live up to 30 years if cared for properly. In my family, there is one that is from a cutting my grandmother had. This means the plant’s lineage can last even longer.
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